The Naked Mom
A Modern Mom's Fearless Revelations, Savvy Advice, and Soulful Reflections
by Brooke Burke
We
have all been familiar with Brooke Burke’s exceptional beauty for many
years now, as she modeled, hosted, and was simply one of the most
naturally beautiful women in the public eye. With the popularity of
Twitter, as well as through her very popular blog on Modern Mom, we have
gotten more than a glimpse into Brooke’s life, both personally and
professionally. Sharing pictures, insights, and feelings that span
ballroom gowns and jewels for her DWTS hostess wardrobe, carpool,
parenting challenges, relationship peaks and valleys...we get a real
view into what it is like to be Brooke….a working mom, just like – and
yet so different than - so many of us.
I have always had immense respect for Brooke’s authenticity. She admits when she finds things challenging, shares her exhaustion as a mom of four, and with every tweet and blog, she brings to light how similar we all are. For as vast and different as our lives are – single, married, children, no children, employed, unemployed, in the spotlight or in the shadows – as women, as mothers – we share so much common ground and we are never alone.
I was fairly certain that The Naked Mom would read along the lines of Brooke’s blog, which I enjoy immensely. After reading the book excerpt that Brooke shared on her Modern Mom site I realized The Naked Mom would be so much more than the blogs expressed. I still had NO idea.
As eager as I was to read Brooke’s book, I chose to wait and purchase my copy at her book signing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove, part of the famous Los Angeles landmark, Farmer’s Market.
I know this is a review of Brooke’s book, but first I have to just comment on Brooke herself. She is far more beautiful in person. Not just the beauty we all see on the cover of Shape Magazine, Skechers ads, and DWTS advertising, but the true beauty of graciousness with everyone, strength mixed with vulnerability, her authenticity – her true beauty. She fielded questions from fans, handling even personal questions on unexpected topics with a grace and light humor that allowed everyone to remain at ease. It was truly a pleasure to meet her; an opportunity I had barely dared to hope for prior to this event.
I have always had immense respect for Brooke’s authenticity. She admits when she finds things challenging, shares her exhaustion as a mom of four, and with every tweet and blog, she brings to light how similar we all are. For as vast and different as our lives are – single, married, children, no children, employed, unemployed, in the spotlight or in the shadows – as women, as mothers – we share so much common ground and we are never alone.
I was fairly certain that The Naked Mom would read along the lines of Brooke’s blog, which I enjoy immensely. After reading the book excerpt that Brooke shared on her Modern Mom site I realized The Naked Mom would be so much more than the blogs expressed. I still had NO idea.
As eager as I was to read Brooke’s book, I chose to wait and purchase my copy at her book signing at Barnes & Noble at The Grove, part of the famous Los Angeles landmark, Farmer’s Market.
I know this is a review of Brooke’s book, but first I have to just comment on Brooke herself. She is far more beautiful in person. Not just the beauty we all see on the cover of Shape Magazine, Skechers ads, and DWTS advertising, but the true beauty of graciousness with everyone, strength mixed with vulnerability, her authenticity – her true beauty. She fielded questions from fans, handling even personal questions on unexpected topics with a grace and light humor that allowed everyone to remain at ease. It was truly a pleasure to meet her; an opportunity I had barely dared to hope for prior to this event.
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ModernMom is a trusted resource and online community for the "Woman Behind the Mom," with practical tips, advice, videos and information on parenting, pregnancy, family, career, health, wellness, beauty, cooking, crafts and more.
Headed up by Dancing with the Stars co-host Brooke Burke and Lisa Rosenblatt, ModernMom is full of original content from celebrated experts, authors, bloggers and real moms from all over the world. It's a one-stop destination for smart, savvy and soulful women who want to be informed, entertained and inspired.
The Naked Mom is so multi-faceted that I read it twice before even attempting to review it.
Brooke shares experiences from every aspect of her life. We learn what is most sacred to her, what she enjoys, what she yearns for, what she is proud of. She is open, honest, and frankly, very brave, to let so many millions of people see so deeply into her life, and into her heart.
In her chapter ‘The Mirror-Ball Trophy’, sharing her journey as a contestant and winner of Dancing with the Stars, Brooke reminds us that for as public as an experience may be, there is a LOT that goes on behind the scenes, and even more so even farther out of the public eye, within the heart and soul. The triumph over self-doubt, the determination to do her best – whatever that best may end up being, and the follow through on her commitment to the competition, especially for the sake of being a good example to her children – all shows us what TRULY makes Brooke Burke a winner. What appeared to viewers as a sequined path danced along with a handsome young partner had many painful potholes, and detours. Yet, Brooke showed herself, her children, and all of us what perseverance truly can accomplish.
The Naked Mom is overflowing with tips, suggestions, and wisdom Brooke has gleaned through both the personal and professional portions of her life. I found myself making notes to try a certain approach, mental space, or hands on daily grind juggling.
As I mentioned, I read The Naked Mom twice before writing this review. BOTH times, I laughed AND cried. At times at portions that struck a different chord in me the second time through, and at times at the same poignant sections that affected me so strongly the first time.
I was deeply touched by Brooke’s vulnerability. It is so difficult for ANYONE to admit when they have stumbled, are afraid, or feel imperfect. It is tremendously more difficult to do so, for someone whose career positions them as a perfect woman, perfect beauty, perfect mom, perfect hostess – in the spotlight in front of millions. Brooke exercised remarkable courage in showing the world – the real Brooke. Teaching us all the invaluable lesson that the ideal woman we see in the spotlight, and whom we aspire to be like, is VERY human, and exquisitely imperfect just as we are.
While my life and experiences are so VASTLY different than Brooke’s have been, I found myself relating to her as if we had truly been walking along the same path. The take away lesson is that we HAVE BEEN. There is SO much common ground amongst women – how we emote, how we survive, where we find joy and fulfillment. There is even more commonality amongst mothers. Those inarticulately subtle (as well as some blindingly glaring) changes in how we process everything in our lives, even those aspects that do not seem parenting related – once we are parents. Whether my child, my friend, or my man said or did the same thing that Brooke’s did, I still found myself relating to her emotional reactions, how her experiences affected her.
I think my favorite lesson from Brooke’s book is her statement that essentially there is no ‘balancing it all’ but rather ‘managing the chaos’. In chaos there is opportunity, there is beauty, there is adventure, there is an openness to blessings and authenticity that is simply lost in a regimented life. All of us should truly aspire to simply – manage it to the best of our ability. To navigate the bumps in the road, the twists and turns, even when we cannot see what awaits us on the other side of the mountain that seems to loom in front of us.
I encourage you all to do two things. 1) Buy Brooke’s book. The Naked Mom will entertain you, and will make you more comfortable in your OWN skin. Come to love your naked self. If there is any one characteristic of Brooke’s that I would choose to emulate and achieve (and there are MANY) it would be to become so BOLDLY authentic. 2) Make a ‘bucket list’/simply must achieve list/vision board – whatever visual tool you choose be it in images or words – State your dreams, wishes, desires, and goals! Be courageous enough to put them down on paper. Make yourself and the Universe accountable to attaining those goals for yourself.
Brooke – thank you – for your beauty – inside and out….and for being SO truly relatable which helps us all see that we too, each have a unique beauty that shines from within.
Not keeping anything hidden! Brooke Burke-Charvet proudly displays neck scar after thyroid cancer surgery... AND envy-inducing washboard abs as she hits the gym
By Louise Saunders|
She successfully underwent thyroid surgery in December after being diagnosed with cancer the previous month.
But Brooke Burke-Charvet is evidently not keeping anything hidden after beating the disease as she proudly showed off her throat scar on Sunday.
Leaving her gym in Malibu, California, after her workout, the 41-year-old television personality couldn't conceal her smile as she flaunted her surgery scar and her washboard abs in one go.
Brave: Brooke Burke-Charvet showed off her cancer surgery scar and her washboard abs as she hit the gym in Malibu, California, on Sunday
Scar: The 41-year-old television personality underwent thyroid surgery in December after being diagnosed with cancer the previous month
Ensuring her toned and tanned torso got maximum exposure, the brunette star teamed her barely-there top with a pair of bright purple jogging trousers as she made her way back to her car.
Brooke completed her workout look with her locks scraped back off her face, minimal make-up and oversized sunglasses to protect her eyes from the strong Californian rays.
The mother-of-four wore bright red Sketchers trainers on her feet and carried a bottle of water to ensured she stayed hydrated after her workout.
And despite looking as though she had barely broken a sweat as she emerged from the gym looking positively flawless, the star seemed pleased with the results of her exercise session.
Writing on her Twitter page, she said: 'Awesome work out today! Mind, body & soul & a whole lotta booty! loved the sweat.'
Envy inducing: The star's flat stomach would have no doubt left most women at her gym completely green with envy
More...
- she brushed off doctor's cancer diagnosis
- Too bad she can't compete! Brooke Burke-Charvet looks ready to be crowned as she wears curve-hugging leather dress at Miss America press junket
- 'I'm one of the lucky ones': Cancer survivor Brooke Burke proudly shows her neck scar in first live TV interview since thyroid surgery
But she admitted she initially brushed off her doctor's initial warnings about the mass in her throat.
No wonder she's smiling: The mother-of-four
looked happy and relaxed as she left her gym with a bottle of water to
keep her hydrated following her workout
Trooper: Despite having told her Twitter
followers she was covered in sweat following her strenuous session at
the gym, Brooke looked utterly flawless as she stepped out
'My doctor felt a very questionable, tiny little lump. He said to get an ultrasound, and I got an ultrasound, and then they suggested a biopsy.
'I had my first biopsy and my results came back atypical... they couldn't confirm whether it was cancer or not.
Doting: Brooke later covered up in a black vest top as she stepped out with two of her daughters, Sierra and Rain, in tow
'It's something that you never think that you're going to experience.'
Brooke has two daughters, Neriah and Sierra, from her first marriage to Garth Fisher and a daughter, Rain and son Shaya from her union with actor David Charvet.
Fun in the sun: The two little girls seemed to be having a whale of a time as they played a fun game together
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